Werner Golling named vice president at Emporia State University

Emporia State’s new vice president for administration and fiscal affairs brings experience in private higher education and corporate business.

Werner M. Golling begins his new role on July 1.

“Werner brings business acumen as well as a depth and breadth of experience in higher education,” Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, president of Emporia State University, said in announcing the hiring.

Golling has served as chief financial officer and vice president of human relations for Aldevron, a biotech company headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, since 2009. Before that he served in higher education vice president positions dating back to 1993 at Concordia College, Grand View University and Evangelical Theological Seminary.

A member of ROTC while earning his bachelor’s degree in management from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Golling went on to serve 5 1/2 years of active duty in the U.S. Army, finishing with the rank of captain followed by eight years as a helicopter pilot in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the Minnesota Army National Guard.

Emporia State’s designation as a military-friendly school was one of several reasons Golling said he was attracted to the vice president position.

“I’m very excited to work for President Shonrock,” Golling said. “He’s a dynamic and energetic leader. His attitude is infectious.”

Dr. Jim Williams, vice president for student affairs, led the search committee.

“The committee worked very, very hard to identify a strong candidate pool to bring to campus,” Williams said.

And while Golling might have been selling himself during the on-campus visit and interviews, Emporia and the university community in turn sold him on the job.

“During my visit,” he said, “I was equally impressed that everyone I met — vice presidents, administrators, students, faculty, staff and the community — showed a deep sense of passion for Emporia State University.”

“It’s a very student-centered and student-focused institution,” Golling said.

Added Williams: “We were very excited by Werner’s enthusiasm for Emporia State, his passion to connect with the institution and the region and the role he saw fiscal affairs and administration providing and supporting the strategic plan and campus master plan.”

“He has great experience and a passion to be at a student-centered institution,” Williams concluded.

Golling replaces Ray Hauke, who retires from the vice presidency on June 6. Golling and his wife, Terry, have three adult children in Minnesota and North Dakota. The couple will be moving from Moorhead, Minnesota.